5 Reasons Why the National Media Doesn’t Consider Drew Brees Elite

Sep 14, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Browns defeated the Saints 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

#1. You Are What Your Record Says You Are

The NFL has a famously short memory. Just look at the way Colts owner Jim Irsay was so quick to discard the greatest Colt of all-time, Peyton Manning, to draft a new shiny toy in Andrew Luck.

This league is above all things a business, and there’s only one return on investment: Winning.

Unfortunately, the Saints haven’t been doing a lot of winning lately. They sneaked into the playoffs as a Wild Card team in 2013, and since then, they have missed the playoffs twice in two of the most mediocre, disappointing years in recent memory.

It’s one thing to be a team like the Titans, or the Browns, who are going through rebuilding phases and are expected to struggle.

It’s another thing entirely when a team fails to meet expectations. The hurt and disappointment are amplified by the broken dreams of a disillusioned fan-base.

Nov 8, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive end Angelo Blackson (95) celebrates after a sack of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Titans defeated the Saints 34-28 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

“Attitude reflects leadership, Captain”, is a famous line from Remember the Titans.

Drew Brees is the unquestioned leader of the Saints, and when the team struggles, Drew Brees ultimately takes the lion’s share of the blame.

However, as we’re about to see: the recent disrespect is rooted in more than just the win/loss column.

Next: Tainted Legacy